**Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is set to sign a new three-year deal, according to Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti.**The 31-year-old scored the first goal in a 2-0 friendly win against Inter Milan in the United States on Tuesday.
“Drogba is a very important player for us and we want him to play for Chelsea,” said Ancelotti.
“He’s irreplaceable, as no other striker in the world can do the same job. I’ve spoken with Drogba and he’s told me he’s happy to stay.”
The Ivorian forward, who has scored 94 goals in 216 games for Chelsea, notched the first goal against the Italian champions after only 11 minutes of their World Football Challenge match at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.
He received a pass from Frank Lampard with his back to goal and turned and fired home from 20 yards. Lampard added the second from the penalty spot just after half-time as Chelsea dominated in front of 81,244 spectators.
The new deal would extend Drogba’s stay in west London to 2012 and after the game he reiterated the players’ belief that Chelsea captain John Terry, who is being targeted by Manchester City, would also stay at Stamford Bridge.
“He’s our captain and we need him and we know he’s going to stay with us and win more trophies,” Drogba told ESPN.
However, one player who looks set to be leaving Chelsea is Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko.
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“Good news about Drogba. What he needs is serious competition for a place, and I just hope Sturridge provides it.”
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The 32-year-old has one-year left on his contract but Ancelotti stated: "I speak to Shevchenko every day and the situation is this: he’s with us until 31 August and then, together, we will make a decision.
“But I don’t know what will happen as the club has not received any offers.”
Shevchenko cost Chelsea a club record £30.8m when he was signed in 2006 from AC Milan, where he returned last summer for a season-long loan deal.
Ancelotti believes he has already found a replacement for Shevchenko in the form of Daniel Sturridge, who scored in his first Chelsea game, against Seattle Sounders, on Saturday.
The 19-year-old joined the Blues earlier this month from Manchester City and a transfer tribunal will decide the fee.
“He has good quality and we expect him to have a good season,” added Ancelotti.
"To score a goal in his first game is good for him and for us. He has a lot of quality as a striker who is quick and intelligent with his movement for others - I like that.
“He’s not a star. He’s a very good young player and we believe in young players at this club. He will be in the first team this season.”